Top 10 Donkey Kong Country Music Tracks - VZedshows

[@electricmastro]

Cool list. I myself have always liked that one part in Fear Factory (13:04) where it's given extra "uumph." Like, "Ah yeah, we're gonna win this!"

[@snomangaming]

VZ This was beautiful man! We had exactly ONE song in common between our two lists, and yet I agreed with everything you said! That is a surefire sign of a GREAT soundtrack, where every song has something to offer. Great work explaining in musical detail why each track is so unique and fantastic. One of my new faves of yours man :) Very happy!

[@VZed]

thanks, man. I'm feeling good about this one too. There's so much amazing stuff and unique angles explored in these games' music and it was REALLY hard not to pick a top 40 or 50.

[@Deception19985]

Awesome Video BRO!

[@TheCompletionist]

This was one video that was well worth waiting a year to finally see because I think the donkey kong country soundtracks have some of the best music to ever grace a 16 bit system. One of the reasons why I always appreciate your top ten lists because you get people to see things a little differently instead of just picking the songs that you'll always see on lists regarding the donkey kong country music. I still haven't played donkey kong country 3 as of yet, so it would be unfair to come up with a list of my own but out of all the tracks I have listened to from the donkey kong country series. Forest Interlude from donkey kong country is my favorite track thus far. I do have fondness for tracks such as ice cave chant, stickerbrush symphony, aquatic ambience and a few others. I do want to thank you for taking the time to make this list and putting descriptions on these tracks that you don't hear from other people.

[@VZed]

Anytime. I didn't really go out of my way for this video, i just kept listening through the playlists and whittling down the list until i had ten. I'm glad my descriptions got the points across, as i'm not used to talking about music in such detail and i was a little worried it wouldn't pan out like i hoped. Thanks for the kind words :)

[@BowsersToast]

Great list and great video! Here would be my personal top 10: 10) "Rockface Rumble" - DKC 3 9) "Hot Pursuit" - DKC 3 8) "Mine Cart Madness" - DKC 1 7) "Ice Cave Chant" - DKC 1 6) "Cascade Capers" - DKC 3 5) "Screech's Sprint Theme" - DKC 2 4) "Stickerbush Symphony" - DKC 2 3) "In A Snow-bound Land" - DKC 2 2) "Northern Hemispheres" - DKC 1 1) "Forest Interlude" - DKC 2

[@VZed]

These are good picks for sure. Forest Interlude is one i'm surprised wasn't my own top ten.

[@metalliholisti3728]

My personal top 20 list: 20. "Donkey Kong Rescued" - DKC2 19. "Treetop Tumble" - DKC3 18. "Crocodile Cacophony" - DKC2 17. "Aquatic Ambience" - DKC 16. "Lockjaw's Saga" - DKC2 15. "Cascade Capers" - DKC3 14. "Flight of the Zinger" - DKC2 13. "Gangplank Galleon" - DKC 12. "Krook's March" - DKC2 11. "Bayou Boogie" - DKC2 10. "Water World" - DKC3 9. "DK Island Swing" - DKC 8. "Stickerbush Symphony" - DKC2 7. "Rockface Rumble" - DKC3 6. "In a Snowbound Land" - DKC2 5. "Fear Factory" - DKC 4. "Life in the Mines" - DKC 3. "Hot-Head Bop" - DKC2 2. "Forest Interlude" - DKC2 1. "Mining Melancholy" - DKC2

[@Scorpion122178]

great list as per usual. cascade capers would probably have been one of my pics. At times I feel like I like DKC3's soundtrack most out of all of them. Water World definitely is underrated and often overshadowed by Aquatic Ambiance, I'm glade to see that one on the list.

[@VZed]

Yeah, I totally forgot about Water World, and wow, when it came up on the playlist i was listening through it totally blew my mind, and i knew it had to be in my top ten.

[@Molega54]

I can’t believe there was no Jib Jig, Lockjaws Saga, mining melancholy and most importantly funkys fugue, that song is the definition of hype!

[@VZed]

Yeah, i mean i could probably do a top 20 of just DKC 2 tracks

[@Molega54]

@@VZed PLEASE DO… I also forgot to mention the opening and fanfare of the original

[@TheCreeplyCreeper]

Excellent video! I love how in-depth your view is when analyzing these songs! Keep it up! Unrelated: Are you thinking about reviewing Yooka-laylee?

[@VZed]

Thanks very much! It was exciting to finally be able to talk about music on my channel. As for Yooka-Laylee, yes i am planning on it, but i have a series of other projects lined up for the near future, so it will probably be a part of next year's Rare videos.

[@MoonSpiritChannel]

Great list! My picks would be radically different but your picks are warranted and I approve of your taste.

[@smino5863]

awesome video

[@SidtheCannibal]

Another awesome video, VZed. And some great picks, too. These soundtracks are classic, no doubt about it.

[@LackaJudgment]

I made a face when you mentioned Cave Dweller, but what you said about using minimalism effectively completely changed my view of this track. Got a newfound appreciation for it now

[@ChrisTheFields]

Lockjaw. All I'm gonna say.

[@VZed]

I considered this one, but i dunno, it kept getting edged out. There were a lot of tracks i didn't figure would make the final cut on this list. Really speaks to this game's musical presence that it can surprise me even after all these years.

[@Thorpe]

Primal Rave works so good with the Lost World levels.

[@LucasWolfGanondorf]

Some unexpected choices in the list, but I rather liked your explanations for them. Water World in particular was pretty interesting because I never really associated it with deep sea creatures, though now I can easily imagine being watched by angler fish and who-knows-what on the ocean floor. I don't really understand the in-depth descriptions of music, such as different kinds of notes, but I find it pretty interesting to hear more educated people talk about it. And just for the hell of it, here's my own top 10, in no real order because there's too much good music in this series for me to order them. 1. Fear Factory - DKC 2. Disco Train - DKC2 3. Flight of the Zinger - DKC2 4. Life in the Mines - DKC 5. Bayou Boogie - DKC2 6. Frosty Frolics - DKC3 7. Aquatic Ambiance - DKC 8. Nuts and Bolts - DKC3 9. Forest Frenzy - DKC 10. Mining Melancholy - DKC2

[@UnicornStorm]

I really like the theme from the haunted forests in DKC2.... and the caverns in DKC2... and the lava caves in DKC2...... mostly because I'm really into melodic songs and DKC2 is full of them...

[@VZed]

DKC2 is a magical game for music and atmosphere.

[@adesignersperspective]

such timeless music for such timeless games 👍

[@ShadwSonic]

I taught myself how to play #2 on piano a long time ago... Granted it doesn't have the background tracks or echoey-ness of the original, but that core is surprisingly simple!

[@starbird3939]

Also, Mining Melancholy.

[@Hiushisan]

I would personally have Pokey Pipes and Krook's march on my list to name a few. I guess I should compile my list... Very nice list though!

[@hxctrance]

I'm surprised since you're into metal you're not a bigger fan of Gangplank Galleon from DKC 1

[@VZed]

that is a solid one, and it was on the list but it got knocked off. If i had done a top 20 it'd be on there.

[@hxctrance]

Nice, thanks for the reply. Off topic but- I really liked your video analysis of DK64 and the Banjos; do you think you'll get around to playing Yooka-Laylee soon and reviewing it? Im skeptical of the mainstream reception

[@VZed]

So, i AM planning on it, but i usually try and let a new game sit for a while before i do a big break down like those videos. I'm actually currently planning on doing Yooka-Laylee for next year's FebuRAREy, which i know is a long time away, but it will definitely happen, especially because i am enjoying the game currently.

[@TheRedGuy]

Interesting, although my list would be very different, assuming I could even choose 10 over the rest. I'm not really a fan of the more "atmospheric" or "ambient" tracks, the kinds that are slow and calming, I prefer faster, more energetic tracks, or if it's a slower song to have some menace, or at least an obvious and catchy melody. That's why when it comes to the SNES trilogy I vastly prefer 2's soundtrack over 1 and 3, and I'm not really a fan of "aquatic ambiance", "in a snow bound land" or especially "stickerbrush symphony". I also hate the jungle hijinx theme because it takes way too long building up to the good part, and when that part happens it only lasts for like 30 seconds then goes into a slow part that takes awhile before going back to the long ass build up I JUST WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FAST PART DAMNIT! Anyways if we were to add more than just the SNES trilogy, Tropical Freeze's soundtrack is right up there with DKC2's, it's damn close to even surpassing it, and Returns had few good ones like Palm Tree Groove, the final boss theme, and my favorite, the rocket barrel theme. But even those don't come close to DK64's soundtrack for me, no joke DK64 is my favorite soundtrack, I love it so much. Also DK64's version of jungle hijinx doesn't have the damn slow part, thank you Grant! Anyways might as well try to list my favorite tracks from the games (in no particular order) DKC- Fear Factory, Gangplank Galleon DKC2- Krook's March, Mining Melancholy, Snakey Chantey, Boss Bossanova, Klubba's Reveille, Crocodile Cacophony DKC3- Treetop Tumble, and the final boss theme DK64- Frantic Factory, Mad Jack, Jungle Japes, Creepy Castle, Dogadon 2, Army Dillo 2, and the final boss theme DKCR- The aforementioned Palm Tree Groove, Tiki Tong song, and Rocket Barrel DKCTF- Busted Bayou, Big Top Bop, Wing Ding, all variations of the Rocket Barrel, Scorch n Torch, Punch Bowl, and Frozen Frenzy

[@hyperpowerfulform5132]

So you like less ambience and more substance? Then what do you think of the DKC3 GBA soundtrack, which (to me) feels like a mix of the two. It also makes usage of the lemotif like what David did for the Kremlings in DKC2, only here, he did it for the heroes (I think) with a version of Aquatic Ambiance (renamed here Water World in case you don't know) with the intro, title, levels with a Water-trope, and Funky's (mini)Game.

[@TheRedGuy]

Haven't actually listened to that one. I'm not too familiar with DKC3 as a whole, let alone the GBA port. I just know that the "Treetop Tumble" replacement theme is incredibly inappropriate in the Ripsaw level.

[@TheRedGuy]

Huh, I guess I underestimated the GBA versions soundtrack. Started listening to some of it and like it more than I expected to. Still not quite up there with DKC2, Tropical Freeze, or 64 for me, but it's better than SNES 3. I especially like the GBA's version of Mill Fever.

[@VZed]

I'm on record as calling DK64 Grant Kirkhope's best work. If you're new to my channel, take a look at my DK64 video. It's one of my favourite games, and one of my favourite game soundtracks for sure. You have good picks, though. If i were to do a DK franchise top 20 list or something it wouldn't look that different from your's.

[@TheRedGuy]

Oh don't worry, I know what you think about DK64, it's the reason I subscribed.

[@crocodileman94]

Not sure why you call your number 1 an easy pick. I've never seen anyone put that song on their list.

[@starbird3939]

I think the stickerbush symphony works because it CONTRASTS the level. Probably the most chaotic and hardest levels in DK2 with a calming soundtrack. It calms the player and makes their frustrating and repetitive experience better. Imagine how exhausted and eventually annoyed by bramble levels with a fast pace soundtrack

[@turntsnaco824]

Yes, In A Snow-Bound Land has the same effect. Black Ice Battle is one of the most frustratingly brutal levels in DKC2, and it's backed by the most heavenly serene music imaginable. The juxtaposition is, in some way, what makes it work.

[@PerrydactylShow]

Loved the list! But WHERE THE FUCK IS FORREST INTERLUDE?! It kinda killed the #1 pick for me, but y'know it's ok. We all have our own banana slammas.

[@VZed]

yo dude, Forest Interlude just kept getting edged out. I don't know what to tell you! but for real, some of these tracks just landed on my brain and totally threw me for a loop. like Cave Dweller Concert, i had not idea that track was as long as it actually is. Give a listen someday, i think that track has so much going on that people don't realize.

[@mattdog1000000]

Donkey Kong Rescued obvious? Really? I never really thought that much of it, I was more into Credits Concerto really. But hey, nostalgia and all that.

[@ShadwSonic]

I know it's spelled BAY-you, but it's pronounced BY-you. Really jarring to hear that messed up.

[@VZed]

forgive my Canadian speechisms. I live about as far away from any actual Bayous as geographically possible :S

[@TheBeird]

In a Snowbound Land sounds like porn. Not a problem for me but I can't be the only one who hears that, right?

[@VZed]

I don't know if i hear porn necessarily, but i guess i do now. Thanks! now i have to go ammend my list!

[@starbird3939]

How about worse levels?